Been using P90s forever in Gibson Specials. I also use single pickup jrs. His setup and advice is spot on. I have the neck almost flush with the body to get that classic hollow P90 tone and the bridge close up right before it starts muddying up. Then you adjust the individual poles to dial it in. Perfect. P90s. The most versatile and badass pickup ever. There is a learning curve with P90s. Everywhere you pick is a very different feel. Love them. Solid advice given here.
Thanks Brian My SG Jr had the pup really close Almost interfering with the strings Sounded pretty damn good though Dog ear was on top of the pick gaurd so got the proper gaurd but a lot lower now Doesn't sound bad but think I need some ring shims to raise it back up a bit Thanks for the info Happy Holidays
I realize that p'up height is a "matter of taste" but a basic/general optimal height (pole piece to bottom of strings when string is fretted at the highest fret) would be helpful as a point from which to deviate. It's easy enough to find factory or Erlewine specs for HBs or Single coil p'ups heights, but info on P-90s is a bit more elusive. I did like the tip on balancing the volume output as a starting point.
we find people love the spec stuff but it's also something we recommend to tailor to taste. Some factory height recommendations are not as usable and it vary's a lot guitar to guitar. Especially on many guitars with boomy sounding neck pickups. Thanks for the feedback, we'll try to keep addressing all angles!
Thank you so much! Don't know why adjusting my pickups has been such a chore, but your vid has motivated me to fix them! Neck is way too boomy, bridge is way quieter than the neck. I'm gonna start with the neck, lowering it until it's sweet and has more clarity. Then I'll go to the bridge and raise it until it's at least as loud as the neck. Maybe a bit more for some help on crunchy rock stuff.
This is Exactly how mine was had to lower the neck down to the body and then raise the bridge pick up. Made all the difference. Now I’ll experiment with the individual all screws see what happens. Cheers.
Nice video. I have a problem with my bridge single coil/neck P90 combination. I backed of p90 much more than single coil, and still its louder than single coil and has much more bass, sometimes its muddy, i assume because of the distance. I cant raise single coil too much because it will become very bright. What do u suggest?
if you have the p90 backed off, then try raising the single coil as much as you can for balance. don't be afraid to put the p90 back more than 1/4" from the strings thats what it takes to get balance as long as you like the sound
Hi! I have a Gibson Custom Shop goldtop LP with stock P90s and I don’t seem to be able to lower them (they are basically touching the strings and it’s extremely annoying!) but if I try to lower the 2 center screws nothing happens and the plastic cover almost got cracked...any tips?
sounds like there might be a tight fit with the corner radius? try pushing the cover as you tighten the screws and see if it moves. It nothing happens, remove the strings and see what's underneath the pickups by taking them out (Loosen the mounting screws) It could be that the routes are shorter or there is more rigid foam or mounting springs underneath causing it not to go down
Great informative video.....I lowered the 'B' pole piece on my p90 neck pickup as it was slightly louder than the other strings, for some reason the pickup (cut out) as if it had been 'grounded' ??...I raised it back up and it started working fine.I only lowered it about one full turn on the pole piece screw.Any idea why that happened ?....cheers Geoff (UK)
Hey Geoff, Hard to say, but sounds like when lowered it maybe came into contact with something in the cavity (Shield paint perhaps?) Sometimes things shift internally on pickups so it's shorting inside or below the pickup
@@PorterPickups I'm going to take it out of the guitar and see if I can see the problem ?...although now I have raised the screw back to its original position it's working fine..thanks for the reply. ..Geoff
Cool demo man. I have a question: What if one of the P90s came in tilted (i.e. not horizontal with the strings, going upwards towards the neck), does that affect the tone and how can that be adjusted for them to be flat again?
It might not effect the tone much, depending on how extreme it is angled. You can remove the p90 by fully backing out the screws. If there's foam under there it could be pushed to one side, causing the slant you have. Try to re-center that and see if it helps!
Thanks for instrunctional video..I installed a seymor Duncan phat cat P 90 into a semi hollow..( bridge is humbucker from wilkinsony) now the neck position has a lot to much bass punch..so I try to test the pole pieces down as you suggested..lets see..
I realize i am a little late to the date of the video, but anyway ,you surely can help: when referring to pickup height are we talking about the coils+poles distance or just the poles? i mean if i install a "spring-loaded screws" p90 in a deeper pickup hole (it was for a stacked p90) and if the screws are a little too short should i get longer screws or i can just refer to the pole pieces distance from the string (thus unscrewing them to reach the right distance)? thanks
usually it's the poles themselves for distance measurements (Since the cover adds some space between the actual pickup. We usually like a balance between the poles and overall heights for adjustment. If you find the p90 is a little short, just raise the screws and see if that gets you there!
two small screws are through the pickup into the body wood. they are the phillips head ones, You can tighten one side more to lower than end if needed. Most use foam or springs under the p90 for pressure to help the heights stay put that you set
screws are in the pickup (Smaller ones) there should be two and you can turn to the right to lower, turn to the left to raise assuming you have some kind of spring or fusion under the pickup to help it spring back
@@PorterPickups my neck pickup seems to be tilted towards the bridge and I don't know how to level it. Mustang P90 bought used. Im starting to worry it took a tumble that wasn't disclosed. oh well. still sounds great.
@@shuaglenn6802 sometimes its just the foam underneath that needs to be re-centered. you can takeout all the way out and check it out when you change strings next time!
the center screws into the wood allow you to adjust height assuming you have some springs or foam under the p90. tighten the screws to lower the pickup (Turn right) or turn left to roast the pickups closer to the strings
sorry if there was confusion there. Right turn of the mounting screws to lower, left turn to raise. It also depends on the springs or foam underneath if it will push back up
That wasn't very helpful. You should at least give the users out there a potential range of distances. Just based on the comments below mine, we got one guy saying flush with the body, and another saying damn near hitting the strings, and both are saying their setup sounds great. One, if not both, have to be wrong. Where is the science? Shouldn't we start there and then go with tastes?
We always recommend using your ears. each guitar will have different places that heights work best and not a generic factory setting because resonance and woods differ between types. We have a newer video on why we don’t have pickup heights on our site. We understand people want a starting point, and we offer some tips as a general rule. Point is, there’s no wrong setting it’s more dialing in how it works best for your individual playing needs. You can set heights for volume balance or a boosted bridge as two examples. So we would recommend trying things, and not just starting with one measurement. If you absolutely need a starting place, try both pickups at 1/8” then adjust to taste. In our experience the neck will be backed off in most cases vs the bridge. Appreciate the feedback, we want to be able to communicate our thoughts on this subject and realize people come expecting different things.
Don Lessnau we assumed most people know how to move them up and down we just gave some suggestions on where to put them as well adjusting the individual poles to taste. We talked several times about moving them up and down, but if it would be helpful for you to have a video that explained that part more, we'd be happy to create it.
you'll need to see if the springs or foam underneath in helping it spring back up. that usually provides the resistance to push it back up. if there screw won't go down or thread the wood could be stripped in the pickup cavity
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Been using P90s forever in Gibson Specials. I also use single pickup jrs. His setup and advice is spot on. I have the neck almost flush with the body to get that classic hollow P90 tone and the bridge close up right before it starts muddying up. Then you adjust the individual poles to dial it in. Perfect. P90s. The most versatile and badass pickup ever. There is a learning curve with P90s. Everywhere you pick is a very different feel. Love them. Solid advice given here.
Just got my first p90s & straight away knew this needed looking, great vid & advice, thank you
very cool. glad this is helpful for you!
Thanks Brian My SG Jr had the pup really close Almost interfering with the strings Sounded pretty damn good though Dog ear was on top of the pick gaurd so got the proper gaurd but a lot lower now Doesn't sound bad but think I need some ring shims to raise it back up a bit Thanks for the info Happy Holidays
I realize that p'up height is a "matter of taste" but a basic/general optimal height (pole piece to bottom of strings when string is fretted at the highest fret) would be helpful as a point from which to deviate. It's easy enough to find factory or Erlewine specs for HBs or Single coil p'ups heights, but info on P-90s is a bit more elusive. I did like the tip on balancing the volume output as a starting point.
we find people love the spec stuff but it's also something we recommend to tailor to taste. Some factory height recommendations are not as usable and it vary's a lot guitar to guitar. Especially on many guitars with boomy sounding neck pickups. Thanks for the feedback, we'll try to keep addressing all angles!
Thank you so much!
Don't know why adjusting my pickups has been such a chore, but your vid has motivated me to fix them!
Neck is way too boomy, bridge is way quieter than the neck. I'm gonna start with the neck, lowering it until it's sweet and has more clarity.
Then I'll go to the bridge and raise it until it's at least as loud as the neck. Maybe a bit more for some help on crunchy rock stuff.
This is Exactly how mine was had to lower the neck down to the body and then raise the bridge pick up. Made all the difference. Now I’ll experiment with the individual all screws see what happens. Cheers.
Nice video. I have a problem with my bridge single coil/neck P90 combination. I backed of p90 much more than single coil, and still its louder than single coil and has much more bass, sometimes its muddy, i assume because of the distance. I cant raise single coil too much because it will become very bright. What do u suggest?
if you have the p90 backed off, then try raising the single coil as much as you can for balance. don't be afraid to put the p90 back more than 1/4" from the strings thats what it takes to get balance as long as you like the sound
Hi! I have a Gibson Custom Shop goldtop LP with stock P90s and I don’t seem to be able to lower them (they are basically touching the strings and it’s extremely annoying!) but if I try to lower the 2 center screws nothing happens and the plastic cover almost got cracked...any tips?
sounds like there might be a tight fit with the corner radius? try pushing the cover as you tighten the screws and see if it moves. It nothing happens, remove the strings and see what's underneath the pickups by taking them out (Loosen the mounting screws) It could be that the routes are shorter or there is more rigid foam or mounting springs underneath causing it not to go down
@@PorterPickups super! Thanks a lot I will try
Great informative video.....I lowered the 'B' pole piece on my p90 neck pickup as it was slightly louder than the other strings, for some reason the pickup (cut out) as if it had been 'grounded' ??...I raised it back up and it started working fine.I only lowered it about one full turn on the pole piece screw.Any idea why that happened ?....cheers Geoff (UK)
Hey Geoff,
Hard to say, but sounds like when lowered it maybe came into contact with something in the cavity (Shield paint perhaps?) Sometimes things shift internally on pickups so it's shorting inside or below the pickup
@@PorterPickups I'm going to take it out of the guitar and see if I can see the problem ?...although now I have raised the screw back to its original position it's working fine..thanks for the reply. ..Geoff
Cool demo man. I have a question: What if one of the P90s came in tilted (i.e. not horizontal with the strings, going upwards towards the neck), does that affect the tone and how can that be adjusted for them to be flat again?
It might not effect the tone much, depending on how extreme it is angled. You can remove the p90 by fully backing out the screws. If there's foam under there it could be pushed to one side, causing the slant you have. Try to re-center that and see if it helps!
@@PorterPickups Thanks for the response and for the info! I'll get around to it.
Thanks for instrunctional video..I installed a seymor Duncan phat cat P 90 into a semi hollow..( bridge is humbucker from wilkinsony) now the neck position has a lot to much bass punch..so I try to test the pole pieces down as you suggested..lets see..
I really like the neck pickup backed off on p90s. sweeter tone and not as boomy for sure.
I realize i am a little late to the date of the video, but anyway ,you surely can help: when referring to pickup height are we talking about the coils+poles distance or just the poles? i mean if i install a "spring-loaded screws" p90 in a deeper pickup hole (it was for a stacked p90) and if the screws are a little too short should i get longer screws or i can just refer to the pole pieces distance from the string (thus unscrewing them to reach the right distance)? thanks
usually it's the poles themselves for distance measurements (Since the cover adds some space between the actual pickup. We usually like a balance between the poles and overall heights for adjustment. If you find the p90 is a little short, just raise the screws and see if that gets you there!
Which screws, and which direction do I turn them to lower and heighten P90's.? There's not one video explaining that. Thanks.
The smaller screws between the G & B and the D & A strings, turn to the right to lower, let to raise!
Your a gent. Thank you.
glad to help!
how do you adjust the entire P90 (which screws for left and right side)?
two small screws are through the pickup into the body wood. they are the phillips head ones, You can tighten one side more to lower than end if needed. Most use foam or springs under the p90 for pressure to help the heights stay put that you set
Greetings from Germany. Thanks👍
greetings! thanks for watching!
Helpful, good video. But the music in the background is really annoying.
Cool. My bridge p90 is way too loud/ sensitive and pretty boomie.
how do you adjust the overall hight? wheres the screw?
screws are in the pickup (Smaller ones) there should be two and you can turn to the right to lower, turn to the left to raise assuming you have some kind of spring or fusion under the pickup to help it spring back
@@PorterPickups my neck pickup seems to be tilted towards the bridge and I don't know how to level it. Mustang P90 bought used. Im starting to worry it took a tumble that wasn't disclosed. oh well. still sounds great.
@@shuaglenn6802 sometimes its just the foam underneath that needs to be re-centered. you can takeout all the way out and check it out when you change strings next time!
@@PorterPickups thanks!!
Factory specs only get you into the park. Careful adjusting gets you into the game
Great video thanks man
but how do you adjust the overall height???? def not like a humbucker
the center screws into the wood allow you to adjust height assuming you have some springs or foam under the p90. tighten the screws to lower the pickup (Turn right) or turn left to roast the pickups closer to the strings
@@PorterPickups thank you.
Very helpful.
Cheers! 🍻
Nice information to know, thanks a lot!
You're not showing me how to adjust overall height.
sorry if there was confusion there. Right turn of the mounting screws to lower, left turn to raise. It also depends on the springs or foam underneath if it will push back up
‘65 silver tone sighting!
ty very helpfull
Background music is very distracting!
the bridge is on the wrong way round
That wasn't very helpful. You should at least give the users out there a potential range of distances. Just based on the comments below mine, we got one guy saying flush with the body, and another saying damn near hitting the strings, and both are saying their setup sounds great. One, if not both, have to be wrong. Where is the science? Shouldn't we start there and then go with tastes?
We always recommend using your ears. each guitar will have different places that heights work best and not a generic factory setting because resonance and woods differ between types. We have a newer video on why we don’t have pickup heights on our site. We understand people want a starting point, and we offer some tips as a general rule. Point is, there’s no wrong setting it’s more dialing in how it works best for your individual playing needs. You can set heights for volume balance or a boosted bridge as two examples. So we would recommend trying things, and not just starting with one measurement. If you absolutely need a starting place, try both pickups at 1/8” then adjust to taste. In our experience the neck will be backed off in most cases vs the bridge. Appreciate the feedback, we want to be able to communicate our thoughts on this subject and realize people come expecting different things.
you didn't show how to raise or lower the pickup--yeesh
assumed that was self explanatory part, but maybe we can make a updated version!
Lame. Not once in the vid did you explain HOW to adjust the height like the title of your vid suggested. Lame.
Don Lessnau we assumed most people know how to move them up and down we just gave some suggestions on where to put them as well adjusting the individual poles to taste. We talked several times about moving them up and down, but if it would be helpful for you to have a video that explained that part more, we'd be happy to create it.
Righty tighty / lefty loosey.
that just unscrews or tightens the screw for me, it doesn't move the pickup at all
you'll need to see if the springs or foam underneath in helping it spring back up. that usually provides the resistance to push it back up. if there screw won't go down or thread the wood could be stripped in the pickup cavity
If you cant figure that out you shouldn't mess with them take it to a qualified guitar tech.
We learned nothing here
if there's anything specific you'd like to see, let us know.